What is Strong Workforce?

The Strong Workforce Program is hereby established for the purpose of expanding the availability of quality community college career technical education and workforce development courses, programs, pathways, credentials, certificates, and degrees.

Trailer Bill Excerpt

Distribution

Funds are ongoing and have been allocated to colleges based on a labor market need, enrollments, and student outcomes, rather than putting out an RFP.
Plans and budgets are very simple, focusing on proof of labor market need and projections regarding how student outcomes will change.

Allocation

$1,171,947

Focus for the Funds

Increase the quantity of CTE
Increase the quality of CTE

Quantity

More enrollments in programs leading to high-demand, high wage jobs

“more”

required for all programs * Enrollments

Quality

More students complete/transfer
More students employed
More students improving their earnings

“better”

pick only those metrics that are relevant for your investment

Completion
Transfer
Employment
Employment in field of study
Second quarter earnings
Median change in earnings
Proportion of students who attained a living wage

Funding

Colleges will receive 2016-17 funding once their district certifies the local share report template.

This is DUE soon

Guidance

No Supplanting
Funding CTE Only
No Duplication of Effort
Follow District Procedure

Non-Allowable

Entertainment
Alcoholic Beverages
Contingency or Rainy Day Funds
Goods and Services for Personal Use
Lobbying
Contributions or Donations
Fund Raising and Investment costs

Valid LMI Sources

Use data that was validated within the last two years
Validated local or regional employer input through an employer survey or advisory
- Regional program approval process
- Prior regional planning process
- Local biannual program review
Find data in a report in the LMI Resource Library
Demonstrate living wage attainment (Programs where at least 50% of students earned a living wage)